By Amanda Barrie
Burnaby – For technical reasons, Scotland head coach Archie Gennill, made four changes to his line-up for yesterday’s match against Costa Rica at Swanguard Stadium.
Back-up goalkeeper, Scott Fox, who was outstanding, stepped in between the pipes for Andrew McNeil. Micheal McGlinchey came in for Robert Snodgrass, Graham Dorrans for Ross Campbell and Sean Lynch for Jamie Adams, who was suspended for two yellow cards.
Defender, Mark Reynolds, scored for Scotland making it 1-0 at the half.
Costa Rica managed to tie up the game shortly into the second half. The 1-1 game stayed close for the rest of the 90 minutes. Costa Rica notched the win in just two minutes of added play. Tico’s striker, Jonathan McDonald, was the hero.
“It was the best moment of my playing career, and it was the best time for me to score for my team.” McDonald said.
Swanguard Stadium was jam-packed yesterday with a sold out crowd, most of whom appeared to be Scottish supporters.
From toddlers in blue, to drunken men in kilts, streakers and bagpipers, Swanguard Stadium was crawling with Scots. Their brand of team patriotism is just unique from many other soccer fans. Even if the stadium wasn’t dominated by them, their spirit makes it feel as if they have taken over any stadium.
The first two matches for Scotland were held in at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, where they had much support there as well. Perhaps the Scottish population in the greater Vancouver area is larger than Victoria’s. Nevertheless, the atmosphere felt vibrantly Celtic.
Scotland didn’t finish with the outcome they intended, but their performance was the best the west coast had seen from the Scots. Who knows whether or not those changes prior to yesterday’s match would have changed their overall record here at the World Cup Canada, but yesterday’s performance was outstanding from Scotland.
Goal-scorer, Mark Reynolds, said after the match:
“It’s a hard one to lose, and the boys are in the dressing room just devastated, but we did everything we could, because a draw wasn’t enough, and unfortunately, we didn’t go through.”
This match was the greatest day for the Costa Ricans and one of the worst for the Scots. Nevertheless, that’s sports. Every team has to win and lose at some point. Some are glorious, some are devastating.
As for the fans, the outcome was nothing to drop their heads over. Some Scottish fans travelled from all over, following the team from Victoria to Vancouver to support them. Some said yesterday’s performance was by far the best, and they deserved to draw at least.
Scotland head back today after being knocked out in the first round of FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada. Costa Rica isn’t going through to the next round either. Nevertheless, they leave Canada with a glorious win, and an experience to remember.
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